meakeb



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

J. W. MEAKER.

POCKET BooK 0R WALLET. No. 246,179. Patented Aug. 23,1881'.

WITNESEEE- lnk/Eni u (No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

`J, W. MEAKER.

POCKET BOOK OR WALLET. Y No. 246,179. Patented Aug. 23,1881` 5M Q yfmm/ mw UNHE SrarEs EEiCE.

PATENT POCKET-'BOOK OR WALLET.

SPECIFICATION formng'part of Letters `Patent No. 246,179, dated August 23, 1881.

Application tiled July 19,1881. (No'model.) i

To au whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN W. MEAKER, of Auburn, in the State ot' New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket-Books or Wallets; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereot, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the let-y ters of reference marked thereon, which torm a part ot this'specitication.

rlhis invention relates to pocket-books or wallets having a compartment intended as a receptacle for coin, constructed on the principle set forth in Letters Patent No. 225,993, granted to ine under date ot' arch 30, 1880 5. and it consistsin the improvements herein described and claimed.

In this invention the coin -receptacle is a drawer, and the present improvements relate more directlyto the construction ofthe drawer, to its surrounding case, to its arrangement in the book, and to its fastening devices.

The object ot' the invention is to make the article as a whole more con venient,` beautiful, and durable, and the fastening vl'orv the coinreceptacle more certain and reliable in its action.

In the drawings, the pocket-book or wallet containing my improvements. Fig. 2 is. a perspective view of the same in horizontal positionand with the coin-drawer open. Fig. 3 is a central transverse section ot' the coindrawer and its surrounding' rigid case. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the pocket-book or wallet (wanting the outside pockets) vertical to the same when held in a horizontal position. Fig. 5 is acentral vertical section ot' the outermost drawer end detached, together with a part ot the rotating lock bar. Fig. (Sis the metal part of said drawer end, both in elevation and section, detached. Fig. i shows the ornamental or finishing part of said drawei' end, both in elevation and section, detached. Fig. S is a view ot' the closed end ot' the ease in which' the drawer runs before the leather or the ornamental part is atiixed thereto. Fig. 9 is a perspective view ot the case and drawer, bottom up, the latter being' partly open, and the former being broken away to show the several Figure l is an end view ot' parts ot' the locking mechanism thereto severally attached. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the drawer-catch and neighboring parts, enlarged. Fig. 1l is a longitudinal section of the tube when the pocket-book or walletis held in a horizontal position, showing the tor sion-spring, the rotating bar carrying the catch and ring, and the tixed tubular bearing of the bar, together with the rradial holes and their contained balls. Fig. l2 is a transverse section of Fig'. 11 through 12 l2. Fig. 13 isa transverse section ot' Fig. 1l through 13 13.

`Fig. 14 is a perspective view of' the portion ot' the fastening devices that are fixed within the shellof the pocket-book or wallet, being a modilication in which the stop is applied to the lat-chinstead ot' the rotating bar ot' Figs. l() and 1l. Fig. l5 is a perspective View, and Fig'. 1G is a vertical sectional view, ot' still another t'ormot' latch and stop intended to be applied to the shell.Y Fig. 17 is a plan view of a blank of which the shell is formed, showing' l two depressions therein, one ot' which has a piece ot' cloth fastened therein.

A, Fig. 3, is a shectmetal shell ot' general triangular t'orm when Viewed in transverse section.

B B are the parts covering said shell, and here shown as includinga band ofleather, which surrounds the shell A closely, and a number ot' pockets attached thereto, together with their iaps a-nd fastenings, which pockets are arranged on both sides ot' the shell or case A, but are in themselves wholly ot' the ordinaryr construction.

C is a handle by which the pocket-bock or wallet is carried orsuspended, heilig attached' lto the body ot' the book at the thin margin/of the shell A.

D isa drawer, made ot'sheet metal, and fitted to slide into the shell A at one of its tiiangular ends, which is left,- open for this purpose. The sheet-metal shell is formed ot' a blank', A, Fig. 17, which is bent to partycylindric form a-t the central line, a a, so as to bring the sides toward each other, and is further and ymore sharply bent in the lines afa a? a2, so as to bring the edges a together in the base ofthe triangle so formed, as shown in Fig. 3, at which point said edges are soldered together. Short IOC willgs or flanges at, provided on the opposite margins of the blank A', are thrown up for the purpose of furnishing a ready alld secure fast ening for the leather wllicll immediately covers the sides of the shell. When said leather has been applied closely lo the exterior of the shell the i'lan ges a* are preferably pressed down firmly over the edges of said leather, as shown in Fig. 4. lhus turiled, the flanges not only hold the sllell aild leather from relative longitudinal inovelneilt, but form a partof the ornamental ends of the book. One elld of the shell A is closed. by a sheet-metal head, A2, set into said end and soldered or otherwise secured in place, as showil iii Figs. et and S. To this head is applied all ornate facing, A, of tortoise-shell or other suitable lnaterial. For the purpose of holding such facing in place the head A2 is iliade wide eiloilgll to allow its longer or vertical edges a5, Figs. et aild 8, to be turned outward, aild after the head is fastened the t'acing is inserted between said edges, wllich are then pressed inward upon the corresponding edges of the facing A, so as to hold the latter firmly in position. The facing is prevented from slipping out endwise by the shell, within which it is tllus held.

The drawer D is a rigid receptacle, the parts of which will be described with reference to its normal or horizontal position when opeil. Said drawer is of sheet nletal, coilsistiilg, essentially, of all inclined bottom, d, a vertical back, d', alld two vertical triangular ends, D' and D, with a supporting marginal part, D2. rlhe back d slides contiguous to the base of the triangular shell A, and the ends tit closely but freely within said shell. The drawer is arranged to staild, when in position to be opened, with the back d' outward, and therefore witll the free edge of its inclined bottoni inward, or toward the person, as showll ill Fig. 2. The inner margin of the drawer terminates in a tube, D2, which fits the curve of the shell at a, Fig. 3. Said tube is preferably iliade of the saine piece of sheet metal with the bottom d, in which case said bottom preferably irst rises to near the level of the topof the tube D2, and thence is heilt downward, forward, upward, and backward to colnplete the tube, as seen clearly ill Figs. 3 and l0.

The object of the tubular form of finish for the margin of the drawer is threefold: first, to give a desirable thickness alld rigidity to this part of the drawer; second, to support said margin ot' the drawer when drawn out; aild, third, to provide space for parts of the locking device which will be hereinafter explained.

The outer or exposed end of the drawer D isprovided with all ornamental facingY corresponding with that of the case or shell A, already described. Fig. 6 shows the outer elld piece or head, D3, of said drawer, with its marginal flanges d2, aild Fig. 7 shows the ornamental facing D4, fitted by its beveled edges to set within said ilanges d2 of the head D3. In this case the facing is restrained from withdrawal eildwise by the bar E, (belonging to the locking mechanisin,) which passes through the coincident holes d5 of the parts D3 and D", as shown in Fig. 5.

The drawer aild the upper inner face of the shell A are liiled with velvet oi' other suitable material for the purpose of preventing noise from movement of the coin within its inclosure. The manner of securing the lining is sllowil in Figs. 3 and 4. The surface of the metal being suitable, or suitably prepared, the lining is cemented thereto by any fit adhesive substance. The exposed edges thereof are additionally held or protected, so far as possible or necessary, as sllowil. Thus the upper edge of the back lining, do, of the drawer is held by being clamped beneath a flange, dT, turned down upon it from the nppernlargin ot' the back d', as seen ill Fig. 3. the llottom lining, d, is disposed within the groove el, Fig. 3, where it is ilot exposed. Said edge may be clasped at this point be.- ileatll the edge of the metal, if desired. The upper edge of the inner eild lining, LZ1, is held-as that of the back lining is held, and as shown in Fig. d-by being clamped beneath the overturned metal ot' D'. For the purpose of securing the upper edge of the outer cild lining, du, the metal end piece or head, D3, (whose nlargin'is used to hold the external ornaineilt D4, and is therefore ilot available to secure the lining,) is provided with the long narrow slot cl3 ilear said margin, through which slot the lining passes` being folded over on the outside of said head and held hy or beneath the facing D, as showil in Fig. 4. The liiliilg a6 on the upper illller face of the shell is made secure by being set and cemented ina depression of said face, as shown in Fig. 3. The shell A is provided with two such depressions op positc to aild corresponding with each otller, nlade before the blank A', froln which the shell is formed, is bent, and the lining nientioned is fixed in one of these depressions, also before the blank is bent. The opposite and vacailtdepression, a7,Figs. 3and 17, serves to prevent the drawer or its inner head,- D', from binding on the shell when the drawer is slid, and also to streilgtheii the shell.

The lockiilg devices of the drawer will next be described.

As fully set forth in the before-ilieiltioiled Letters Patent, such devices sllould be contrived to allow the drawer to opeil only when the pocket-book or wallet is held in a horizontal, or proxiinately horizontal, position, iii order that the coins may ilot be spilled when the receptacle is drawn out. This effect is herein provided for by distinctively ilovel features of construction, which consist, generically, in a catch composed of two nloving parts, one of which is attached to the drawer and the other to the shell, said parts being actuated to mutual engageinentby springs, and being combiiled wit-li a stop or stops applied to one or the other, whereby the parts are allowed to The front edge of IOO IOS

IIO

IIS

disen gage only when the pocket-book or wallet is held in the required or horizontal position. The stop may be applied to either the drawer-catch or the shell-catch, and several alternative devices are here shown.

In the spring-catch attached to the drawer, as here shown, the rotating and protruding bar E is supported in the outer end of thetube D2 by a thick fixed tube 0r cylinder, E2, and carries the bent catch E', having the notch e inits inclined upper surface. Thelimit of rotation of the bar E, and therefore ot' upward and downward swing of the catch E',is determined by the notch e', cui: in the end of the tube D2. The bar E is rigidly connected at its inner end with a spring-wire, e2, which extends through the tube, and is fastened at its remote end to some stationary part of the drawer, as seen at e3, Fig. 11. In securing` the Wire e2 in place as described, it is given a torsional strain, which tends to hold the catch E in the raised position shown in Fig. 10. The catch E may be depressed by turning the bar E ou its axis, and for this purpose the ring E3 is hungloosely in the outer extremity' of the bar. as seen in various Iigures of the drawings. By applying this ring so as to hang when the pocket-book or wallet is suspended, as shown in Figs. l and 5, it is also in themost favorable attitude to he conveniently seized between the thumb and t'oretinger when the book is brought to a horizontal position preparatory to loosening the catch and opening the drawer.

Cooperating with the spring-catch E' ot' the drawer, mounted and operated as described, the shell A has a spring-latch, F', Fig. 10, which engages with the notch e ot' said drawer catch. The entire latch device, as shown in this ligure, consists ot' a. part eut from sheet metal, having, h'rst, the base portion F; sec ond, the upturned end F2, rising parallel with and in proximity to E', and having the notch f; and, third, the long tongue F', bent over to lie in the notch j' and extended to engage with the notch e ofthe catch E', as already de scribed, andas clearly shown in Fig. 10. The base F isfastened to the shell by solder, orbyv rivets j" or otherwise.

The torsion-spring e2 is stronger than the spring-latch F', so that the latteris upheld by the former above the bottoni of the notch j', as shown in Fig. 1U.v

So far as above described, the catch E and latch F operate as follows, to wit: When the drawer is open the latch F' rests on the bottom ofthe notch fand the catch E"is held raised by the torsion-spring c2. Vhen the drawer is being closed the point of the catch E passes beneath the latch F', which, being weaker than the torsion-spring ot' said catch, is lifted, and finally falls into the notch c. In opening the drawer the catch E is depressed by rotating the bar E, as stated. The latch follows the catch until it strikes the bottom ot' notch f, where it is arrested, and further rotation ot the bar carries the catch out of engagement with the latch and permits the drawer to be drawn out. The catch serves as a stop for the drawer.

For the purpose of preventing the disengagement of the spring-catch and the springlatch, as just described, when the drawer is not horizontal, or nearly so, either one ot two means may be employed-namely, rst, a stop or stops to arrest the rotation ofthe bar E, and the consequentdepression ot the catch E', and, second,a movable stop correspondingin function with the bottom ot' the notch j'. I prefer the former, and in Fig. 1l showT the stops used to restrict the movement of the catch E', operating in certain positions ofthe pocket-book or wallet. Said stops consist of two oppositely-inclined radial holes,e4, extending downward through one wall ot' the cylinder E2, (which is ot' less thickness than the diameter ofthe holes,) and nearly or quite through the bar E, as more plainly shown in Figs. 12 and 13. In each ot' these holes is placed a ball, e", which is ot' size suited to move freely but rather closely in the hole containing it. The surrounding tube D2 covers the hoes and conlines the balls. When the pocket-book or wallet is held horizontal, both balls fall wholly within the bar E and ot't'er no impediment to its rotation; but when the pocket-book or wallet is inclined in either direction sutciently to allow one of the balls to roll outward, said ball,being partly in the bar and partly in the outer xed cylinder', E2, prevents rotation ot' the bar, and consequently prevents disengagement ot' the catch E. llhe more nearly horizontal the holes c4 the more nearly horizontal the pocket-book or wallet must be heldin order. to be opened. This i'orm ot' stop is supposed to be present in the devices ot' Fig. 10.

In the application ot' the stop to the latch instead of Ato the catch, provision is made for allowing the latch to follow the catch throughout the entire movement of the latter, except when the pocketbook or walletis horizontal, or nearly so.- For this purpose the notch j' is much deeper than shown in Fig. l0. Two forms ot' such application are shown in Figs. 14, 15,

and 16.

In Fig. la thelateh F' has a projection, f2, 011 its under face, and the part Fz has thc ears f3, in which is hung very loosely the bent wire yokef", which, being always pendent, swings beneath the projectionf2 when the pocket-book or wallet is held horizontal, but which hangs at one end or the other ot such projection when IOO IIS.

IZO

the book is held much inclined fr om a hori- In Figs. 15 and 16 the latch is arrested by other means operating to the saine purpose as the pendent yokef4--that is to say, f5 is a cup having a concave bottom and containing the shot f, which is retained in the cup by the latch F', which ismadebroad at this point for the purpose. At the center of the cup-bottom a small hole,j", is drilled, over which theshot has obviously broader bearing, so thatit will be retained at this point by its gravity while the cup is slightly tilted, but from which it will escape to one side it' the cup or book is much inclined from the horizontal. Directly over the center of the cup the latch I1" is provided with a depending pin, f7, beneath which the shot may roll when the latch is normally supported by the catch E. Therefore, when the book is brought to a horizontal position the ball rolls inward to the center of the cup, and if then the catch E be depressed the pin f7 strikes the ballf6 and arrests the latch, thereby allowing the catch to be freed. In any much inclined position of the book, on the other hand, the ball will not be in place to intercept the pia/"7, and the latch will follow the catch, preventing disengagement thereof.

It is understood from the patent before mentioned that the inclined bottom or side of the drawer here shown is intended to facilitate the selection and the withdrawal of a selected coin by pressing the same with the iinger andsliding it up the incline and out into the hand.

It will be observed that the ball-stops applied io the bar E and tube E2 operate negatively or by their non-engagen'ient to allow the instelling' to be released in the desired position ot' the drawer, while the stops shown in Figs. 14,15, and 16 operaie positively or by their engagement to effect the same end.

B v reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that a projection, d, is formed on the facing D4 ot' the outer drawer end, against which projection the ring E3 falls when the book is suspended from its handle C. By means of this projection the ring is sustained at a sut'ticient distance froln the facing to enable it to be readily seized and raised when the drawer is to be opened.

I clailn as my invention- 1. In a pocket-book or wallet, the combination, with the coin-drawer, of a rigid case or shell surrounding the drawer and an outer covering enveloping the case, substantially as described.

2. The pocket-book or wallet described, consisting', essentially, ot' a central rigid coin-receptacle, D, the surrounding rigid shell A, and the outer llexible leather-work or pockets, B B, secured to the shell, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a pocket-book or wallet, of the central coin-drawer, D, having the seetionally-trianguiar form shown, the correspondingly-shaped rigid shell A, closely surrounding the drawer, the outer leather-work,

B B, secured to the shell, and the suspendinghandle O, attached at the thinner margin of the pocket-book body, substantially as described.

4. In apocket-book or wallet, combined with the surrounding rigid shell A, having the general forni shown, the drawer D, having its back and the free edge ot'its inclined bottom fitted to the shell, whereby the drawer is guided and supported from the shell when drawn out at any distance, substantially as described.

5. In apocket-book or wallet, combined with the coin-drawer I), having a lining, the rigid covering or shell provided with a facing of cloth or similar material opposite the open side of the drawer, substantially as described.

6. ln a pocket-book or wallet, the shell A, forming the inclosure ot' the drawer, and provided with the depression over the drawer, having the cloth a6 secured therein, substantially as described.

7. In a pocket-book or wallet, the shell A, forming the inclosure ofthe drawer, and constructed otl a single sheet of metal joined at the back of the drawer, substantially as described.

8. In a pocket-book or wallet, in combination with the drawer and a relatively-fixed part ot' the book, having a suitable latch, the rotating bar E, the attached catch E', and a torsionspring, c2, larranged and operating substantially as described.

S). Ina pocket-book or wallet. in combination with the drawer and the relatively-fixed shell, a fastening for the drawer, consisting, essentially, ot' two movable parts, secured, one to the drawer and the other to the shell, and each actuated by a .spring to secure their mutual engagement when the drawer is closed, and a stop or stops arranged to operate in a required position ot' the drawer to allow the fastening to be disengaged, substantially as described.

1U. In a pocket-book or wallet, in the fastening for the drawer, the combination, with the tube D?, ot' the fixed cylinder E2, the rotating bar E, carrying the catch Ef, and the torsion-spring e2, arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

1l. In a pocket-book or wallet, in the fastening for the drawer, the combination, with the recessed rotating bar E and its spring, and with the attached catch E and its stop or stops. ofthe relatively-fixed tube E2, having inclined holes c* opposite the recesses in the bar E, and the contined balls e5, all arranged with reference to cach other and to the drawer substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. In a pocket-book or wallet, the drawerfastening comprising two moving parts, attached, one to the drawer and the other to the shell, and both spring-actuated to mutually engage, as set forth, and also comprising a stop or stops arranged to procure the disengagement ot' the parts in a certain fixed position of the drawer, the part attached to the drawer provided with a spring of greater IIO strengthv than that attached to the shell, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

13. In a pocket-book or Wallet, in combination with the vertically-movable notched catch E', its supportin g-spring, and its arresting stop or stops, the spring-latch F and the notched upright part F2, together arranged and operating substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

14. In a pocket-book or wallet, combined with the shell A, the depressed head or end piece, A2, having lateral flanges a5, and the ornamental facing A3, secured by said flan ges a5, substantially as described.

15. In a pocket-book or wallet, combined with the drawer, the end piece, D3, having the flan ges d2 and aperture d5, the facing D4, itted to enter between said anges, and also having the coincident aperture d5, and the bar E, pro- `jecting through said aperture, as shown, Whereby the facing is heldin place Within the anges of the end piece, substantially as described.

16. In a pocket-book or Wallet, combined with the ring E3, applied to the rotating bar E, the projection d, arranged to support the ring out in position Where it may readily be seized and raised, substantially as described.

17. In a pocket-book or Wallet, combined with the outer end lining of the drawer, the sheet-metal end piece, D3, having the slot d3, and the outer facing, D4, together arranged as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I afx my signature in presence of two Witnesses JOHN WESLEY MEAKER.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL M. EDDY, WARREN E. WILKINs. 

